Exploring Alberta’s natural beauty through its many trails is a wonderful way for families to bond, stay active, and experience the great outdoors. Whether you’re looking for a leisurely walk or a slightly more challenging hike, Alberta has a plethora of trails suitable for all ages.
Here are the top 12 family-friendly trails in Alberta that offer a mix of scenery, wildlife, and fun. Plan out a dozen weekend tours and knock these off the list one by one!
1. Grassi Lakes Trail
Location: Canmore
This popular trail near Canmore features stunning turquoise lakes and scenic mountain views. The trail is well-marked and includes interpretive signs that add educational value to the hike. The path is mostly gentle, making it ideal for families with young children.
2. Johnston Canyon Trail
Location: Banff National Park
A classic in Banff National Park, Johnston Canyon offers catwalks and bridges that lead you through the canyon to beautiful waterfalls. The trail is relatively easy and the dramatic scenery keeps kids engaged.
3. Maligne Canyon Trail
Location: Jasper National Park
This trail takes you along the deepest canyon in the Canadian Rockies, with numerous bridges offering spectacular views. It’s an educational walk with geological and historical information along the way, perfect for curious minds.
4. Troll Falls
Location: Evan Thomas Provincial Recreation Area
A short, family-friendly hike that ends at a lovely waterfall. The trail is easy and mostly flat, making it suitable for strollers and little feet. In winter, the falls turn into a beautiful ice formation.
5. Beaver Boardwalk
– Location: Hinton
This unique trail offers an up-close view of a working beaver pond and wetland area. The boardwalk is stroller-friendly and the interpretive signs provide fun and educational insights about the local wildlife.
6. Fish Creek Provincial Park
Location: Calgary
One of the largest urban parks in Canada, Fish Creek offers numerous trails that are flat and easy, perfect for family outings. The park also has picnic areas, playgrounds, and a variety of wildlife./
7. Shoreline Trail
Location: Elk Island National Park
This trail takes you through mixed-wood forest, with good views of islands, beaver and waterfowl. Beaver Bay picnic area on peninsula has good views of the lake.
8. Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park
Location: Cochrane
This park is one of the newest in the province. It offers a variety of trails with stunning views of the Bow River and the surrounding foothills. The trails range from easy to moderate, catering to families with children of all ages.
9. Larch Valley Trail
Location: Banff National Park
While a bit more challenging, this trail rewards hikers with incredible views of larch trees and alpine scenery, especially beautiful in the fall. Older kids will appreciate the stunning vistas and unique plant life. Views of the Ten Peaks are breathtaking.
10. Miquelon Lake Provincial Park
Location: Miquelon Lake Provincial Park
Featuring several easy trails that wind through forest and wetland areas, this park is great for families. The Beaver Hills Loop is particularly popular and provides excellent bird-watching opportunities.
11. Whispering Sands Interpretive
Location: Lesser Slave Lake Provincial Park
Description: Travel over ancient sand dunes and through a regenerating jack pine forest. You can stop at the Devonshire Beach North Day Use Area or continue along the Freighter Lakeshore Trail to North Shore Day Use Area. This trail is generally flat to gently sloping but it also has some small steep hills.
12. Kimiwan Lake Birdwalk
Location: Kimiwan Lake
One of the must-see birding destinations in the Peace Region. The Interpretive Centre is open May through October and will lend you a pair of binoculars to get a close-up view of wildlife.
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Alberta’s trails offer diverse experiences that cater to families looking to explore nature together. From easy strolls to more adventurous hikes, these trails provide opportunities to learn, bond, and create lasting memories. So, pack your gear, lace up your hiking boots, and get ready to discover the natural beauty of Alberta with your family.
